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AI Micro Course: Emotions in AI
This course explores how AI interacts with human emotions, from addictive feedback loops to forming relationships with machines. Students examine the psychological and ethical impacts of AI while lear
- AI Literacy
- Voyage
- Unit
- 6th grade
- 7th grade
- 8th grade
- 9th grade
- 10th grade
- 11th grade
- 12th grade
Course Summary
“Emotions in AI” investigates the powerful ways artificial intelligence influences how we feel, think, and connect with others. Students explore how engagement-driven systems trigger dopamine cycles and why people form emotional attachments to AI through concepts like the ELIZA Effect and parasocial relationships. The course examines whether AI interactions can weaken real-world empathy and how idealized, AI-generated content shapes self-image and creativity. It also raises critical questions about identity, motivation, and the meaning of human connection in an AI-driven world. By the end, students learn strategies to set emotional boundaries and use AI in ways that support—rather than replace—authentic human relationships.
Course Outline
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- The Dopamine Slot Machine
- Parasocial Relationships
- The Empathy Atrophy
- The Perfection Engine
- Reclaiming the Human Connection
Standard Alignment
State standards documents
| Document | Standards | Grades |
|---|---|---|
| National | ||
| 2022 Skill Struck Standards Alignment + Correlation Guide | CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards · 2022 | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Alabama | ||
| Alabama Course of Study Digital Literacy and CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment | Alabama Course of Study Digital Literacy and CS Standards | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Arizona | ||
| Arizona Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment | Arizona Computer Science Standards | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Arkansas | ||
| Arkansas Computer Science and Computing Standards High School Programming + Skill Struck Alignment | Arkansas Computer Science and Computing Standards High School Programming · 2023 | 9-12 |
| Arkansas Computer Science and Computing Standards Middle School Introduction to Coding Standards + Skill Struck Alignment | Arkansas Computer Science and Computing Standards Middle School Introduction to Coding Standards · 2023 | 6-8 |
| California | ||
| California K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment | California K-12 CS Standards | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Georgia | ||
| Georgia Standards of Excellence for K-8 Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment | Georgia Standards of Excellence for K-8 Computer Science | K-2, 3-5, 6-8 |
| Idaho | ||
| Idaho Content Standards Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment | Idaho Content Standards Computer Science · 2023 | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Illinois | ||
| Illinois Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment | Illinois Computer Science Standards · 2022 | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Indiana | ||
| Indiana K-12 Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment | Indiana K-12 Computer Science Standards · 2023 | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Iowa | ||
| Iowa Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment | Iowa Computer Science Standards | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Kansas | ||
| Kansas CS Standards P-12 + Skill Struck Alignment | Kansas CS Standards P-12 · 2023 | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Kentucky | ||
| Kentucky Academic Standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment | Kentucky Academic Standards for Computer Science · 2023 | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Maryland | ||
| Maryland K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment | Maryland K-12 CS Standards · 2023 | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Massachusetts | ||
| Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment | Massachusetts Digital Literacy and Computer Science Standards · 2023 | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Michigan | ||
| Michigan K-12 Standards Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment | Michigan K-12 Standards Computer Science · 2023 | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Mississippi | ||
| Mississippi College and Career Readiness standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment | Mississippi College and Career Readiness standards for Computer Science · 2022 | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Missouri | ||
| Missouri K-12 Computer Science Performance Standards + Skill Struck Alignment | Missouri K-12 Computer Science Performance Standards · 2023 | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Nebraska | ||
| Nebraska K-12 Technology Standards + Skill Struck Alignment | Nebraska K-12 Technology Standards · 2023 | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Nevada | ||
| Nevada Academic Content Standards for CS + Skill Struck Alignment | Nevada Academic Content Standards for CS | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Nevada Academic Content Standards for Integrated Technology + Skill Struck Alignment | Nevada Academic Content Standards for Integrated Technology | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Nevada Computer Science Standards + Skill Struck Alignment | Nevada Computer Science Standards | 9-12 |
| New Jersey | ||
| New Jersey Computer Science and Design Thinking Standards + Skill Struck Alignment | New Jersey Computer Science and Design Thinking Standards · 2020 | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| New York | ||
| New York Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards K-12 + Skill Struck Alignment | New York Computer Science and Digital Fluency Learning Standards K-12 | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| North Carolina | ||
| North Carolina K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment | North Carolina K-12 CS Standards | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Ohio | ||
| Ohio's Learning Standards Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment | Ohio's Learning Standards Computer Science · 2023 | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Oklahoma | ||
| Oklahoma Academic Standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment | Oklahoma Academic Standards for Computer Science | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Rhode Island | ||
| Rhode Island's K-12 CS Education Standards + Skill Struck Alignment | Rhode Island's K-12 CS Education Standards | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| South Carolina | ||
| South Carolina Computer Science and Digital Literacy Standards + Skill Struck Alignment | South Carolina Computer Science and Digital Literacy Standards · 2023 | K-2, 3-5, 6-8 |
| South Carolina's Computer Science Standards for High School + Skill Struck Alignment | South Carolina's Computer Science Standards for High School · 2023 | 9-12 |
| Tennessee | ||
| Tennessee K-12 Computer Science State Standards + Skill Struck Alignment | Tennessee K-12 Computer Science State Standards · 2023 | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Texas | ||
| TEKs Skills for CTE + Skill Struck Alignment | TEKs Skills for CTE | 9-12 |
| TEKs Technology Applications K-8 Standards + Skill Struck Alignment | TEKs Technology Applications K-8 Standards | K-2, 3-5, 6-8 |
| Utah | ||
| Utah 6-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment | Utah 6-12 CS Standards · 2019 | 6-8, 9-12 |
| Virginia | ||
| Virginia K-12 CS Standards + Skill Struck Alignment | Virginia K-12 CS Standards · 2023 | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Washington | ||
| Washington K-12 CS State Learning Standards + Skill Struck Alignment | Washington K-12 CS State Learning Standards | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Wisconsin | ||
| Wisconsin Standards for Computer Science + Skill Struck Alignment | Wisconsin Standards for Computer Science · 2023 | K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12 |
| Wyoming | ||
| Wyoming Computer Science Content Standards + Skill Struck Alignment | Wyoming Computer Science Content Standards · 2020 | K-2, 3-5, 6-8 |